Better This Way

The Morning After

Severus awoke with a splitting headache. He must have drank an entire bottle of brandy before he finally passed out. He didn’t know how he was going to face Hermione today. Sighing, he climbed out of bed and stretched. He took a hot shower and dressed mechanically. It had been a while since he had gotten up alone. He buttoned his cuffs and headed up to the Great Hall for breakfast.


Hermione wondered if Severus was going to even show up in the Great Hall for breakfast. She hoped she wouldn’t have to see him today. She told Professor McGonagall first thing this morning about her new job. She was sure Albus would probably make some sort of announcement about it during breakfast. She wondered for a moment if she had made a mistake in taking the job. Then she remembered the cool callous tone that Severus had used when he referred to their relationship as a fling. No, she thought. It was the best thing for you both to take that job.


Hermione looked up as the doors to the Great Hall banged open. Severus entered looking very hung-over.


Maybe he didn’t mean what he said, She thought, her heart skipping a beat.


He walked right past her and sat at the opposite end of the table instead of at his usual place, two places ahead of where Hermione was sitting now.


Of course he meant it, she thought.


As soon as Severus was seated, Albus stood up and clinked his fork against his glass.


“Attention everybody. It gives me great pleasure to announce that our own Apprentice Granger has been offered a very esteemed position at Durmstrang. She will be leaving in two weeks. I believe applause is in order,” He said jovially.


Hermione ducked her head as the room broke out in applause. She sneaked a look over at Severus to see how he was reacting to the news. Her eyes filled with tears when she saw that he was clapping just as enthusiastically as some of the students.


He really does want me out of his life, she thought as a tear spilled onto her cheek. She wiped her eyes on her napkin and excused herself quickly from the room.


She stood in the girls’ loo and sobbed. She had already met all the requirements to graduate the program. What was the use in sticking around another two weeks? She had to get out of here, she had to start fresh. She left to go find Professor McGonagall.


Severus watched as Hermione fled from the Great Hall. He felt a pang of guilt. He swallowed it. She would have left him anyway. It was better this way.


“Well I’ll have to talk to Albus about it, dear, but I am sure we could arrange that,” Minerva said, looking at Hermione sympathetically.


“Thank you Professor. I am just so excited about this new job. The sooner I can start, the better,” Hermione said, managing a convincing smile.


Hermione looked around the quarters that had been her home for the past year once more. She knew getting Professor Dumbledore’s permission to graduate early had been the right decision. The walls of the castle were just too painful now. It was time to move on, and what better way than to go to a completely different country and start fresh.


She wouldn’t wear her heart on her sleeve this time though. She loved Severus. They had never said it, but she just assumed he felt the same way. She would never make such a mistake again. She would never let her heart out of her sight again. She went to Professor McGonagall’s office to discuss the final arrangements for travel. She was planning to travel by floo for part of the trip, apparate for another part, and then take a train the rest of the way.


Severus folded the parchment carefully and headed up to Hermione’s quarters. He was hoping she wasn’t in her rooms. He noticed the door was partially ajar, and could hear Hermione’s muffled voice a few doors away. She was talking with Minerva. He slipped silently into her rooms and tucked the parchment into her suitcase.


“Goodbye, my love,” he whispered as he turned and left the room.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Hermione walked up the stone steps to the entrance of Durmstrang Castle.


“Ah, velcome Professor Granger,” came the warm voice of Professor Ivanov. “I am so happy you have decided to join us early this year.”


“It’s my pleasure, Professor. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity.”


“Please, call me Milla. Ve are going to be vorking together for quite some time I am sure,” Milla said. “Please allow me to show you to your rooms.”


“That would be lovely, thank you.”


They walked down several winding corridors lit with gargantuan torches until they reached a staircase going down.


“I am sorry that your rooms are in the dungeon, Professor, but all of the other quarters vere taken,” the broad woman said apologetically.


“Oh, no, it’s quite alright. The dungeons don’t bother me,” Hermione replied.


After all, she spent a good part of the last year in the dungeons, as that was where Severus’ quarters were located. No, she thought. You are not going to think of him here. This is your time to move on .


She followed Milla down the dank stone stairs into the dungeon. After several minutes of walking, they came upon a beautiful tapestry of pixies in the woods. Here, she tapped her wand on the bright purple wing of a pixie and said “Blue Unicorn.”


Hermione frowned slightly at the overly feminine display, but she was sure Milla was only trying to make her comfortable. They entered the quarters and Hermione was astounded by the size of her rooms.


There was a large four poster bed with a furry white blanket on it in the center of the bedroom, and there was a small seating area off to the left, with bookshelves. There was a dining area, a living area, and a large bathroom with a marble tub.


“I vill leave you to freshen up and unpack your things,” Milla said. “Here is a map of the castle, and feel free to come to my office at any time.” She placed a large piece of parchment on the sideboard and left the room.


Hermione unzipped her suitcase and a piece of parchment fell out. Curious, she bent down to pick it up. She recognized Severus’ familiar pen on the front of the folds with her initial, “H”. She sat down on the sofa and, fingers trembling, opened the note.


I just want you to know, I really do wish you the best of luck in Livonia.


Hermione let the parchment fall to the stone floor as she began to cry softly.